                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

FALSE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL; PENALTIES (§ 18.2-461.1)

A. As used in this section:
			&#8220;Emergency communication&#8221; means a communication of any type to
report a fire or to summon a firefighter, as defined in &#xA7; 65.2-107,
law-enforcement officer, as defined in &#xA7; 9.1-101, or emergency medical
services personnel, as defined in &#xA7; 32.1-111.1, in a situation where human
life, health, or property is reported to be in jeopardy and the prompt summoning
of aid is essential.
			&#8220;Emergency personnel&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in
&#xA7; 18.2-426.
			&#8220;Emergency response&#8221; means a response by a firefighter,
law-enforcement officer, or emergency medical services personnel to a situation
where human life, health, or property is in jeopardy and the prompt provision of
aid is essential to protect human life, health, or property.

B. Any person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on
intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency
communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response
is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C. Any person who knowingly reports, or causes another to report in reliance on
intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency
communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response
and any person suffers serious bodily injury, as defined in &#xA7; 18.2-51.4, as
a direct and proximate result of the false emergency communication to emergency
personnel is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

D. Any person who reports, or causes another to report in reliance on
intentionally false information provided by such person, a false emergency
communication to any emergency personnel that results in an emergency response
and any person is killed as a direct and proximate result of the false emergency
communication to personnel is guilty of a Class 5 felony.

E. Any person violating this section may be prosecuted in the county or city
where the emergency communication was made, in the county or city where the
emergency communication was received, or in the county or city where the
emergency response occurred.

F. A violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
The provisions of this section shall not preclude prosecution under any other
statute.

HISTORY: 2023, cc. 22, 23.